When your air conditioner starts putting out weird or funky aromas, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner can lead to further damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the cause may be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a warning of a hazardous scenario, including a natural gas leak.
At Watts Electric & AC, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something odd coming from your cooling system, there’s a good chance our team of qualified pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Columbia.
What does a particular smell wafting out of your air conditioning mean? Here are a few common air conditioner smells and what they may mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is beneficial to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a bad odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another potential reason for an odor of stinky feet could be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other particles, it can lead to substandard air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To fix this problem, it’s important to have a quality service tech inspect and clean your air conditioning system, including the evaporator coil, drain pan and condensate drain line. It’s also important to exchange the air filter routinely to ensure good air quality and protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit stinks like rotten eggs, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur, which is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that is extremely dangerous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, immediately open windows and doors to air out the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system smells like mildew, it could be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside an air conditioner, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell might be a soiled air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Watts Electric & AC can help protect against both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system operating at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable situations is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One likely cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another feasible cause of the smell could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that resembles urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical problem with the unit. After a while, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the unit. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s worthwhile to contact a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable smell, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is incorporated into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As mentioned before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and requires immediate attention. When you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
Should your AC smell like fish, you may have a situation where there’s a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that is often described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can create a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught within the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional inspect and clean your cooling system. They can find the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons a home’s air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a plugged air filter. One other likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled tech examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and changing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to find and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Watts Electric & AC can help select the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, expert air conditioner installation in Columbia.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioner, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible reason for the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it’s important to turn off your air conditioning system immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your home.
Weird Smells Coming from the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at Watts Electric & AC
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, call the cooling specialists at Watts Electric & AC. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning problems over the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Columbia!